Biomass study fosters crop development in Ontario Wednesday, June 30, 2010 by KRISTIAN PARTINGTONAgriculture and Agri-Food Canada will invest $2.4 million into researching the economic viability of growing biomass crops for energy production.“The world is changing and it’s important that we change with it,” said Barry Devolin, MP representing Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock. He announced the funding Tuesday at an evening reception hosted by Ontario’s Agricultural Adaptation Council. “The research will help Ontario agriculture lead the way to an entirely new family of crops, a new stable market and a new industry for purpose grown crops.”The Ontario Federation of Agriculture will lead the project, to run until October 2013, in partnership with the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association. Research will focus on assessing the growth, storage and aggregation of crops such as switchgrass, big bluestem, miscanthus and prairie mix for use in energy generation. “Our hope is to study the agronomic aspects of these purpose-grown field crops,” said David Armitage, a manger of policy research with the federation. The study will also explore engineering practices for transforming crops into energy and examine practices in other jurisdictions around the world through extensive literature readings. Armitage said the federation and Ontario Soil and Crop began seeking farms to take part in the study this month. “We’ve had three information meetings earlier this month and we requested or encouraged farmers to submit expressions of interest and we’ve had a number of those.” The goal is to have 900 acres of perennial crops through the course of the study. At this point, about 450 acres have been identified. The federation will announce another opportunity for expressions of interest in August or September. BF OPA reduces incentive for ground-mounted solar power Apple and grape acres take a tumble
Hog Markets Strengthen Heading Into Late February Monday, February 23, 2026 As hog producers head into the final stretch of February, North American markets showed modest but broad-based strength according to the latest OMAFA report for the week ending February 20, 2026. The data highlights firmer hog prices, stronger futures, and mixed feed costs, offering... Read this article online
New leadership elected as Beef Farmers of Ontario charts priorities for 2026 Monday, February 23, 2026 The Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) has announced new leadership following its , with directors electing Jason Leblond of Chisholm as president and Don Badour of Perth as vice president. The election marks the conclusion of Past President Craig McLaughlin’s nine-year term on the... Read this article online
Why farmers built their own renewable energy association Friday, February 20, 2026 When renewable energy developers come knocking on rural doors, farmers often find themselves staring at 40-page leases, unfamiliar terminology, and long-term commitments that could shape their land for decades. For many, the opportunity is exciting and enticing—but also... Read this article online
Looking for a heritage machine Friday, February 20, 2026 A Brantford, Ontario area heritage organization—the Canadian Industrial Heritage Centre (CIHC)—is putting out a call to the Canadian agricultural community in hopes of locating a rare piece of machinery that helped transform grain harvesting around the world. The CIHC is preparing... Read this article online
Ontario beef farms honoured for pasture innovation and environmental stewardship Friday, February 20, 2026 Two Ontario beef operations earn top 2026 awards for pasture and environmental excellence. At the Beef Farmers of Ontario’s (BFO) 64th annual general meeting banquet in Toronto on February 18, 2026, two standout Ontario beef operations were recognized for their commitment to... Read this article online